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On a quiet autumn afternoon in 1944, nine-year-old Morris Bird III decides to visit a friend who lives on the other side of town. So he grabs the handle of his red wagon and, with his little sister in tow, begins an incredible pilgrimage across Cleveland . . . and out of childhood forever.

Set against the backdrop of one of the worst industrial disasters in American history, Don Robertson's enduring, beloved masterwork is a remarkable story of destiny, bravery, and responsibility, as fresh and relevant as when it first appeared in print.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“‘The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread is a brilliant piece of writing--a book to put on the same shelf as Catcher in the Rye and The Outsiders. What was it like to be a kid at mid-century in the midwest? Read this book and see.” (Stephen King)

“You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll delight in meeting 9-year-old Morris Bird III.... I loved this book when it was first published in the early ‘60s, and I am just thrilled that a whole new generation of readers is going get to meet Morris, too.” (Nancy Pearl)

“Purely wonderful...Belongs on the same shelf as TOM SAWYER and PERNOD.” (Chicago Tribune)

“Delightful...universal enough to send a twinge of nostalgia through any ex-boy.” (New York Times Book Review)

“Morris Bird III...is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and that nobody will deny....Mr. Robertson is a tremendously good writer.” (The New Yorker)

“A vividly depicted story...a recreation of a time and place that will stir nostagic smiles...tense narrative...You’ll remember Morris Bird III.” (Associated Press)

About the Author

Don Robertson (1929-1999) wrote eighteen novels, including two others featuring Morris Bird III: The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread and The Sum and Total of Now. The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened was made into a movie starring James Earl Jones.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

I recently remembered how much I loved this book when I read it at age 10 and decided that now, 35 years later, I should find it for my own daughter who is about to turn ten and who is a voracious reader and lover of great literature. I came immediately to Amazon.com and found 5 quite incredible comments about a book which obviously has touched others the way it has touched me. Seeing as the book is out of print, my next call was to the library and I found, much to my surprise, that this is not a children's book (which is how I remembered it) but was available in the adult section! I picked it up that evening and read it right away. How wonderful to read this book again as an adult. This is a story of a nine-year-old boy discovering what it means to be brave and finding, within himself, that to do the right thing is the most natural thing in the world for a truly "great" kid. Intensly personal, yet set in the historical context of the great gas explosion in Cleveland, 1944, it truly does have it all. Rereading this book gave me insight into myself as child who so loved this story and it gave me the opportunity to see it from an adult perspective with an understanding that I did not have as a child, as much as I appreciated it. I was surprised at the graphic description of the explosion and burn vicitms because I do not remember finding this traumatic reading as a child (it was probably more disturbing to me now!). My daughter is on page 100 and although there is a part of me that thinks "Should she really be reading this?" I know she will finish it with the same pleasure and amazement that I did. I hope all of you who read this years ago find it and re-read it as I did!

Do you want your opinion of the book tainted by someone who can't even spell "dull" and "bratty"?

This was the first full length novel I ever read.My mother brought it home from the library. I had no desire to read it , but she forced me to. I thank her for that now. The book is especially relevant to Clevelanders, but everyone can benefit from reading about the trials and tribulations of Morris Bird the Third . Filled with humor and angst, this is a classic example in American literature. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr. Robertson shortly before his death. I had the opportunity to thank him for writing such a fine novel. He was genuinely pleased, and even gave me an autographed copy of a later novel of his , "Barb".

I recommend this book to anyone 12 and older. You will not be disappointed.

I was introduced to this book when the greatest teacher of my school career to date read aloud to the class 'The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread'. Morris Bird the eye-eye-eye and his heroic actions brought tears to my eyes. Sandra, the legless man, the poor burnt lady, and NOSMIRC KAERTS added to the fun of the book. It was such an amazing book that whenever our teacher announced that it was time to read, everyone's face brightened and eyes lit up. Each day, it became more intense as the journey started, continued, and then finally, the explosion hit. The description had everyone either wide-eyed or teary. The dialogue and the humor thrown in here or there added to the warmness of the book. And the determination of Morris Bird III was so realistic that each member of the class felt the way Morris felt. As it is out of print, 'The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread' is hard to get your hands on. But it made it all the more fun to hear. If you are looking for a funny, dramatic, descriptive, and overall unbelievably well-written book, 'The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread' is the book for you.

I first read this book in 1973 and it, along with 14 more of Robertson's novels, are top-shelf volumes in my personal library. His writing is addictive. In my opinion, he's America's greatest "unknown" author.This novel is the first of the Morris Bird III trilogy -- all truly American classics. I don't believe that the other two books -- "The Sum and Total of Now" and "The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened" have been reissued since their initial publication over 30 years ago, but readers who enjoyed "Sliced Bread" should definitely seek these out. And if you really want to learn more of the back story of Paradise Falls, Ohio (which weaves its way into many of Robertson's books), read the two volume "Paradise Falls."Regarding the only one-star review to date, the reviewer's spelling speaks for itself. Consider the source of this one, readers. Meanwhile, enjoy "The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread".

After looking for years in every used bookstore for this title, I gave up. When I checked Amazon I discovered a number of other reviewers who held similar fondness for this book. My high school sweetheart had read this book and recommended it for the realistic view of a young boy's life. In fact, for a time, that sweetheart was my husband. We have long parted company, but the book has stayed with me in my heart. As I read review after review, the details of the long-ago story came flooding back to me. (See other reviews for details.) Enjoy the adventure-it is well worth your time.